Vegas Play of the Day: Air Force at UNLV

By Case Keefer (contact)

Friday, Oct. 19, 2018 | 12:23 p.m.

The fifth season of the annual Play of the Day betting competition between the Sun's sports staff is now under way, effective July 1.

Bankrolls start at $10,000 for each of the four participants, with the objective to increase it as much as possible over the next year. The minimum daily wager is $300, with a $200 penalty assessed for failing to place a bet on an assigned day.

Past winners are Case Keefer in 2017-2018, Ray Brewer in 2016-2017 and 2015-2016, and Taylor Bern in 2014-2015.

UNLV plus-10 vs. Air Force: $550 to win $500

Rewind to the beginning of the season. UNLV’s season win total was 6; Air Force’s was 4.5.

There was no debate over which team was more promising or had more talent. Obviously, things have changed.The Rebels lost their quarterback and appear to be a program in decline with two straight blowout losses. The Falcons have been a revelation and look better than expected by covering in four of their six games.

There’s no disputing the former: UNLV is in a bad place right now. The latter is still debatable.

I think Air Force is getting too much credit in the betting market.

The Falcons’ best performance this year is a 35-7 blowout win over Navy, which is in disarray. The Midshipmen lost almost as badly to Hawaii.

Air Force is not significantly better than UNLV, not even with the Rebels turning to a backup quarterback. That backup quarterback should be better in his third start, anyway.

The Rebels have been horrendous, but not horrendous enough to get 10 points at home against another bad team.

 Current Standings: Grimala (10-6, $9,245), Keefer (11-11-1, $8,981), Brewer (5-10-1, $5,300)

Case Keefer can be reached at 702-948-2790 or [email protected]. Follow Case on Twitter at twitter.com/casekeefer.